Universally adjustable antenna support



Nov. 24, 1964 .1. c. POWERS UNIVERSALLY ADJUSTABLE ANTENNA SUPPORT Filed March 28, 1962 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 2

Jo seph 6. Powers INVENTOR.

BY mm Nov. 24, 1964 c. POWERS UNIVERsALLY ADJUSTABLE ANTENNA SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 28, 1962 Joseph 6. Powers INVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3 153,866 UNIVERSAIJLY ADJUSTABLE ANTENNA UPPEE2T Joseph C. Powers, 15} Victoria ea, Dorc'nester, Mass. Filed Mar. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 1833573 3 Qlaims. (Qi. 343-88Z} This invention relates to antennae, and more particularly to indoor adjustable antennae suitable for use with television sets.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide an antenna which has a plurality of adjustments whereby the antenna may be properly adjusted for correctly receiving a signal of any frequency, of any strength and coming from any direction. Accordingly, the antenna may be adjusted in height and is connected to a base by universal joint means so that is may be pivoted in any direction and in three dimensions. The antenna has two signalreceiving arms which are also separately pivoted to a supporting base so that the angle between the arms may be varied for maximum eflectiveness. Each arm is also adjustable in length for properly picking up signals of different wave lengths.

It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable antenna that may be easily assembled and adjusted without requiring any special skill or tools on the part of the operator. Normally, all that is necessary for assembling the antenna is a screwdriver and a pair of pliers.

It is another object of the invention to provide an antenna which is composed of conventional materials, is simple in design, is economical to manufacture and reliable in use.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the complete antenna;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged plan view partially in section and with parts broken away;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 33 in PTGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view with parts broken away;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 55 in FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 66 in FIGURE 4.

The antenna 10 comprises a base 12, telescoping signal pick-up arms 14 and 16 pivotally mounted on a support 18 and a yoke 29 with pole sections 22 and 24 connecting the base and support together.

The base 12 comprises two substantially identical sheet metal plates bent into a substantially Z-shape so as to provide two coplanar support flanges 25 and 28 connected to two upper overlapping flanges 39 and 32 by central vertical flanges 34 and 36. The upper flanges 3t? and 32 are each provided with a central aligned vertical bore which is the same size as and concentric with bores in washers 38 and 4! on opposite sides of the upper flanges. A tubular sleeve 42 is supported on the upper surface of the washer 38 and is concentric therewith. An inverted cup-like cap 44 of the same external diameter as sleeve 42 is supported on the upper end of the sleeve and has a reduced lower flange which telescopes within sleeve 42. Cap 44 also has a central bore in its upper end and a bolt 45 extends upwardly through washers 38 and 40, flanges and 32, and the bore in cap 44. A washer 48 is provided on the upper end of the bolt and a nut 50 is threaded on the upper end of the bolt so as to urge the members 44, 42, 38, 3t and 32 all tightly together and in assembled relationship.

A vertical post 23 comprising sections 22 and 24 telescoped together is secured to the base 12. The lower post section 2 is telescoped snugly over the sleeve 42 and secured thereto by means of a sheet metal screw 52 threaded through section 2 and sleeve 42. The upper post section 22 is slidable and rotatable within section 24. Section 22 is provided with a plurality of horizontal bores 54 extending diametrically therethrough.

The upper end of the post section 2 is provided with a radial annular flange 5 5. An axle comprising a bolt 53 extends diametrically through one of the lower bores 54 and has its ends supported on and rotatably journalled on the upper surface of flange 56. The bolt 58 is retained in proper position by means of a cap nut 62 threaded on the outer ends of bolt 58, a bolt head 5'9 and a pair of washers 64-. Washers 64 may rotatabiy provided between the nut, roller and edges of flange 5a.

A cylindrical stud 6-5 extends through one of the upper bores 54 and has one end secured to the central portion of a U-shaped yoke 21). The yoke 263 may have a central projection 68 to which one end of the stud as is threadedly connected. The opposite end of the stud is threadedly connected to a wing nut 72. Washers 7t and 2 4 are provided on the stud 66 adjacent the section 22 and serve as hearing means.

The free ends or" yoke 2i) are parallel to one another and are pivotally connected to a rectan ular support 18 by means of pivot pins 76 which are secured to the support and extend through bores in the ends of the yoke. Wing nuts 77 are threaded on the outer ends of pins 76 for securing the yoke and support together. The support i8 comprises a hollow sheet metal box 73 having an open top and containing a block of wood 3t? which preferably projects slightly above the box '78. Wood screws 32 extend through bores in the bottom of the box and are threaded into the block 8%? for securing these members together. Each end of the upper surface or" the block 39 is provided with a pair or" L-shaped ears @4- and $6 which are slightly spaced from one another in parallel relationship. Wood screws 38 secure the ears to the block in a conventional manner.

The signal pick-up ears id and 16 are of conventional construction and each comprise three telescoping tubular members. The bottom end of each pick-up arm is flattened and provided with a bore which is aligned with bores in the upper ends of ears 8-; and as. A bolt extends through these bores and pivotally secures the ears and arms together. Friction between the ears and arms may be adjusted by means of a nut 92 threaded on one end of each bolt 9% Each bolt 9% also extends through a washer 94 and an electrical terminal fitting 96. Antenna lead 98 is conventional and has two conductors each of which is secured to one of the fittings 96.

Pole 23 may be adjusted in height by selectively locating axle 58 in the proper bore 54. The elevation of support l3 may be further adjusted by selectively locating stud 66 in the proper bore 5d. Preferably, when pole 23 is fully extended, it is at least four or live feet high. Thus, by placing the antena on top of the TV set, the antenna may be extended up to the ceiling of a room. Alternatively, if pole 23 is fully collapsed by properly locating axle 58, and the antenna is placed on the floor, the antenna wfll be very low. Of course, the height of pole 23 will be adjusted so as to give the best picture in the TV set to which it is connected.

Signal pick-up arms 14 and 16 and support 18 are in effect connected to the base 12 by a universal joint. The

support may be rotated about a horizontal axis by rotating pole section 22 relative to .pole section 24. Bolt 58 acting on flange 56 permit the pole section 22 to be easily rotated with respect to section 24. Support 18 may be also rotated about horizontal axes 66 and 76*which are normal to one another. Thus, it can be seen that support 18 and arms 14 and 16 may be moved or pivoted in three dimensions or in any direction,

The angle between arms Hand 16 may be adjusted by pivoting these arms about their supporting bolts ,90. Of course, the lengths ,of the arms 14 and 16 may be adjusted in a conventional manner.

In operation of the antenna, the most efiective positions and adjustments of the arms 14 and 16 are normally obtained by experimentation. Since the pickup arms 14 and 16 may be adjusted to any position or location in a room, it is apparent that the antenna vmay always be adjusted for maximum effectiveness.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes .will readily :occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit .the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new isas follows: 1. An antenna comprising a base, means adapted to pick-up television and radio type signals, universal joint means movably connectingsaid base and pick-up means whereby said pick-up means may be moved in any direc tion relative to, said base, said base having a coplanar horizontal bottom supporting surface, said universal joint zontal axis to'a portion of said member, a support for said pick-up means pivotally connected to said yoke on a second horizontal axis normal to said first horizontal'axis, said vertical member comprising a pair of elongated telescoping tubes rotatable and axially slidable relative to one another, the lower tube fixed to said base and the upper tube connected to said yoke, said upper tube being pro vided with a series of vertically spaced pairs-of diametrical bores, a removable axle in one of said pairs slidably engaged with the upper end of the lower tube. '2. An antenna as defined in claim '1, wherein a removable studextends through one of said pairs above said axle, one end of said stud being connected to said yoke.

.3. An antenna as defined in ,claim 1 wherein said base includes a raised planar central portion, a tubular sleeve extending upwardly from said central portion, a cap on the upper end of said sleeve, bolt means extending through said central portion, said tubular sleeve and said cap for clamping the sleeve .to the base, said lower tube having the lowerend thereof telescoped over said sleeve, and fastener means releasably .securingqsaid lower tube to said sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France Oct. 29, 1956 

1. AN ANTENNA COMPRISING A BASE, MEANS ADAPTED TO PICK-UP TELEVISION AND RADIO TYPE SIGNALS, UNIVERSAL JOINT MEANS MOVABLY CONNECTING SAID BASE AND PICK-UP MEANS WHEREBY SAID PICK-UP MEANS MAY BE MOVED IN ANY DIRECTION RELATIVE TO SAID BASE, SAID BASE HAVING A COPLANAR HORIZONTAL BOTTOM SUPPORTING SURFACE, SAID UNIVERSAL JOINT MEANS INCLUDING A VERTICAL EXTENDING MEMBER AT LEAST A PORTION OF WHICH IS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED ON A VERTICAL AXIS TO SAID BASE, A YOKE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED ON A FIRST HORIZONTAL AXIS TO A PORTION OF SAID MEMBER, A SUPPORT FOR SAID PICK-UP MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID YOKE ON A SECOND HORIZONTAL AXIS NORMAL TO SAID FIRST HORIZONTAL AXIS, SAID VERTICAL MEMBER COMPRISING A PAIR OF ELONGATED TELESCOPING TUBES ROTATABLE AND AXIALLY SLIDABLE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER, THE LOWER TUBE FIXED TO SAID BASE AND THE UPPER TUBE CONNECTED TO SAID YOKE, SAID UPPER TUBE BEING PRO- 